This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
There are six games on the slate Tuesday with the action set to begin at 7:30 PM Eastern time, as the Suns are at the Hawks while the Jazz visit the Nets. The final game of the night will tip off at 10:30 PM, and we'll see Cleveland take on Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. There will be some big names taking the court, as Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will go up against the Knicks, while James Harden and the Rockets head to Memphis.
We're months into the season, but here's your friendly reminder that FanDuel has gone back to their old format, counting all nine of your player's scores within your lineup. With each selection counting towards your score, it'll be important to make each choice count.
Without further ado, let's take a look at this slate.
Slate Overview
Here's a matchup to target on Tuesday's slate, based on FanDuel Sportsbook's projected scoring total. It can be beneficial to add players to your lineup who are expected to play in favorable scoring environments, especially if you're having a difficult time choosing between two value plays.
Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies (Projected Total: 238.0)
The Rockets are coming off an impressive showing Saturday against the Timberwolves, putting up 139 points in the win. This has propelled them into a tie for the league lead in team points per contest with 119.2. It's no surprise that this contest is expected to light up the scoreboard, as Houston will rely on James Harden to carry a heavier load than usual with Russell Westbrook resting. Memphis also has a high-powered offense, ranking eighth with 113.4 points per game. Ja Morant will be the key to the Grizzlies' offense in this one.
Positional Breakdown
With 12 teams set to take the hardwood Tuesday night, let's take an in-depth look at the depth of each position along with a few value plays to keep an eye on.
PG: There are a pair of elite point guards available, as both Luka Doncic and Trae Young sit atop the list at $10,900 and $10,000, respectively. Young is questionable with a hamstring injury, so his status will be worth monitoring. Kyrie Irving is set to play in just his second game since mid-November, and while he'll likely only log around 20 minutes, he could be a solid choice for just $8,000. He put up 21 points and dished out three assists Sunday. Ja Morant is another mid-tier player to consider, carrying a $7,400 price tag into Tuesday. I would take a look at Eric Bledsoe and Patrick Beverley if you're trying to save money here.
SG: James Harden is the only player here priced over $10K, but we have a few other elite players up for grabs. Devin Booker can be scooped up for $8,700, while D'Angelo Russell ($7,300) is also an intriguing mid-tier option. Dillon Brooks and Jordan Clarkson are under-the-radar guys at shooting guard.
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo has a hefty price, checking in at $11,300 in what will be an appealing matchup against the Knicks. We have steep drop-off after Giannis, as Kelly Oubre Jr. is the next option ($7,200). Alec Burks and Joe Ingles are options in the $5K range.
PF: Kawhi Leonard is the flashy option at power forward for $9,800, and he'll draw a favorable matchup against the Cavs. John Collins is the next option for $8,300, while Julius Randle and Kristaps Porzingis (knee) are in the $7K range. Draymond Green appears underpriced here, available for just $5,900.
C: The priciest option at center is Rudy Gobert ($9,000), followed by Clint Capela ($7,900) and Deandre Ayton ($7,600). Brook Lopez and Dwight Powell are a pair of lower-priced players that could be worth picking up to save a few bucks.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Ricky Rubio, PHO
Rubio is questionable for Tuesday's game due to a personal matter. The team should disclose more information on his availability closer to tipoff.
Trae Young, ATL
Both starting point guards are banged up in the Phoenix-Atlanta matchup, as Young is questionable with a left hamstring issue. He'll need to prove his health in morning shootaround and pregame warmups before gaining clearance to play.
De'Andre Hunter, ATL
Hunter is questionable for Tuesday's matchup against the Suns with a right finger sprain. Vince Carter and DeAndre' Bembry should get more looks if Hunter can't go.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA
Mitchell missed Sunday's game with an illness, but the team expects him back for Tuesday's clash. Expect confirmation closer to tipoff.
Robinson is battling a sprained left toe but it probable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks. He should gain clearance closer to game time.
Reggie Bullock, NY
Bullock is another Knick that is being considered probable heading into Tuesday. He's dealing with a left thigh contusion.
Frank Ntilikina, NY
Ntilikina isn't expected to miss Tuesday's matchup despite nursing some groin soreness. He should be available off the bench.
Jae Crowder, MEM
Crowder is being considered questionable for Tuesday's game with right hip soreness. Kyle Anderson (foot) and Solomon Hill could see more minutes if Crowder can't go.
Kyle Anderson, MEM
Anderson will be a game-time call due to right foot soreness. He appears to have picked up the injury Sunday against Golden State.
Brandon Clarke, MEM
Clarke has been added to the injury report for Tuesday's game as a result of a right thumb injury. His availability should clear up as tipoff nears.
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL
Porzingis has missed the last seven games while battling a knee injury, though he has been closing in on a return. He managed to practice Monday and is officially questionable for Tuesday's tilt.
Elite Players
We have four players on the slate that are priced at $10K or above: James Harden ($11,700), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,300), Luka Doncic ($10,900) and Trae Young ($10,000). Every player in this group is averaging north of 45 FanDuel points per game, with Harden leading the pack at 59.47 FPPG.
Outside of this top group, Kawhi Leonard ($9,800), Rudy Gobert ($9,000) and Devin Booker ($8,700) are slightly cheaper options that are certainly capable of putting up numbers similar to the top tier. Kyrie Irving ($8,000) is also in that elite class when it comes to talent and upside, though he has a lower price tag than usual considering he'll likely be on a minutes restriction in just his second game back from injury.
Expected Chalk
Giannis and Harden are unsurprisingly going to garner a lot of interest along with the other two players in the $10K range, and with only six games on the slate, the superstars figure to be in high demand. Antetokounmpo draws an enticing matchup at home against the Knicks, while Doncic hits the road against a Golden State squad that's last in the Western Conference at 9-32. I also expect Kawhi to be in that same category, going up against a Cavaliers squad that also played Monday evening.
Moving to some lower-tier chalk, look for the DFS community to target Houston's backcourt. The team hasn't named who will start in Russell Westbrook's absence Tuesday, but it's safe to assume that Eric Gordon ($4,100), Ben McLemore ($4,100) and Austin Rivers ($3,500) will see more opportunities than usual. In Dallas, Kristaps Porzingis is questionable for Tuesday, but his availability is very much in doubt. Dorian Finney-Smith has been the hot hand in his place and could be a popular pick, seeing plenty of minutes lately. He can be picked up for $4,700.
Key Values
Kevin Huerter, ATL vs. PHO ($4,800)
Huerter has been on a roll of late, putting up 20-plus FanDuel points in each of his last seven matchups. He's averaging 17 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists over that stretch, proving that he's a reliable contributor across the board for this Atlanta squad. Two notable performances came at the beginning of January, as he finished with 37.9 FD points against Boston on Jan. 3 and 43.7 FD points against Indiana on Jan. 4. I expect the Maryland product to continue to find success Tuesday night.
P.J. Tucker, HOU at MEM ($3,900)
Tucker logged just two minutes Saturday against the Grizzlies after suffering a shoulder injury, but the team has already cleared him for Tuesday's matchup, and he figures to be right back in the starting lineup. He's seen plenty of playing time for Houston of late, averaging 35.5 minutes per contest over his last 10 games. This isn't expected to change Tuesday, and he could see a few more looks than usual with Russell Westbrook resting. Tucker is unlikely to light up the scoring column anytime soon, but he adds value with his work on the boards. He'll head into this contest averaging 22.7 FanDuel points so far this season.
